News

The COVID-19 pandemic boosted the microschool movement across the country, as families sought alternatives during shutdowns and remote schooling. The trend has continued post-pandemic, as part of a broader desire for educational choice. Last summer, the district reached out to several families who had planned to pull their kids out of Wichita schools. Some were headed to private or religious schools, others to homeschool. They changed their minds and instead enrolled at Creative Minds Academy. Read more: The Iola Register

A grant that was initially meant to establish one more free Narcan vending machine will now support eight machines around Lawrence, and the first three were installed this week. Lawrence’s Homeless Solutions Division received $200,000 in grant funding from Kansas Fights Addiction to set up one Narcan vending machine. A partnership with Schmidt Vending allowed the city to repurpose used machines rather than purchasing brand new, meaning the money will stretch to cover eight machines. Narcan or naloxone, the FDA-approved, over-the-counter nasal treatment, blocks the effects of opiates on the brain and restores breathing. It’s effective against all opiates and opioids — heroin, fentanyl, [...]

The City of Lawrence is seeking community feedback on a draft policy that details how the city will invest in affordable housing projects and what criteria developers must meet. The 54-page draft policy lays out details such as definitions of affordability; requirements that proposals must meet; various types of incentives the city will consider providing for projects; how long housing units must remain affordable and much more. The policy is a piece of larger city and county initiatives intended to increase housing availability in Lawrence, particularly for financially stressed households, and to reduce homelessness. Read more: The Lawrence Times

How is it that a political candidate is simultaneously in the running for two local boards? And, can a public utilities board member also snag Wyandotte County’s top leadership role? In Lisa Walker-Yeager’s and Rose Mulvany Henry’s cases, government ethics and elections officials say the distinction between whether someone can put their hat in the ring for multiple spots — which they can — and whether they can actually serve in those roles is subject to legal interpretation. In other words, it’s not immediately clear if someone who runs for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas’s commission [...]

A portion of Route 66 in southeast Kansas has a new feature. It's a Centennial Arch on Front Street in Galena. In case you're unaware, The Mother Road turns 100 years old next year. And, the idea for this project has been brewing for quite some time. Former mayor, and self-described Route 66 roadie, Dale Oglesby came up with it in 2011. Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Carolyn Caiharr is running unopposed for re-election as mayor of Edwardsville in November. In September, her Wyandotte County constituency will grow about five times larger. Caiharr faced no challengers earlier this month when local Republican precinct committee members chose her to replace outgoing Rep. Mike Thompson, who is retiring from politics to care for his ailing wife. House District 33 includes Edwardsville, much of Bonner Springs, the southwest corner of Kansas City, Kansas, and the northernmost tip of Lake Quivira. Read more: Homepage

The Newton City Commission approved an incentive package aimed at making Newton an easier and nicer place for travelers to stay. Community Development Director Zach McHatton discussed the plan at the city’s Aug. 26 meeting. “Over the past several months, staff have reviewed best practices from peer communities and evaluated Newton’s current economic development policy to determine how hotel-specific incentives can be structured effectively,” he stated in materials presented at the meeting. Read more: Harvey County Now

Emergency personnel are dealing with a gas leak in the new Fox Ridge subdivision in Newton. Lee Miller, assistant director for Harvey County Emergency Management, requested and received a disaster declaration from the county commissioners on Tuesday morning, formalizing the verbal declaration he previously made. According to the City of Newton, the Kansas Gas Service discovered the emission last Friday as it conducted a site survey near Southeast 10th and Logan. Since investigating, Kansas Gas states that the gas is not coming from its lines. Read more: Harvey County Now

Newton Fire and EMS used their ladder truck to help lower a person in handcuffs from a roof early Friday morning. The event occurred around 5 a.m. on August 22, at the apartment building on the corner of Fifth and Main Street in Newton. According to Deputy Police Chief Scott Powell, law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance where two roommates were arguing. Read more: Harvey County Now

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.